Over Memorial Day weekend, I went to an art show at this most wonderful place: the Goathouse Gallery, Gardens, and Refuge. An Italian artist named Siglinda Scarpa lives and works there, and her gardens have been featured in magazines and on HGTV and are just amazingly beautiful with fig trees and arbors and trellises and lots of fish ponds with her artwork scattered throughout - it’s a magical place. It was like a little trip to Tuscany except that it’s in rural North Carolina.
But the main reason I went was because the art show was a benefit for the "Refuge" – a cage-free sanctuary for about 200 homeless cats. Just incredible. The cats have a house where they sleep at night, and they also have three acres of fenced-in woodland where they can roam and play.
Most of these cats came from public shelters where they had run out of time and were on the verge of being euthanized. They are such friendly, healthy, and happy cats and are available for adoption. I took so many photos that I’m going to do several posts about this place so without further ado, here are some of the cats!
This was the first cat I met. As I was walking from my car to the gallery and the refuge, I could see cats playing in the fenced-in area and when I pulled my camera out, this one ran right over and posed. What great eyes!
This photo cracks me up! To visit the cats, you first go into their house. Some of the cats were outside playing, but this crowd chose to hang out inside on their day bed. It's kind of hard to tell but there are 10 cats in this photo!
I'm so enchanted by this little girl. What unusual and beautiful markings! I've never seen a cat quite like this before.
This cat was super friendly and followed me around for a while. Very sweet.
Of course, I did a double-take when I saw this little Maria look-a-like! And it was funny because when I went up to pet this one, he/she chirped at me in a voice that sounded just like Maria's. Makes me wonder if all tuxedo cats have the same little squeaky voice.
I've never seen so many cats at the same time! The outdoor area is really nice, very shady, with cat hammocks and little cubbies for them to relax in.
More tomorrow. I forgot to mention that this place is also a sanctuary for homeless goats, and I've got a few photos of them too. :)
The Goathouse Refuge is a non-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible. Information about donating and/or adopting a cat is on their website.
And attention Italy lovers! Siglinda Scarpa has vacation rentals (a villa in Tuscany close to Siena and an apartment in Rome).
Comments (14)
Oh Annie what a wonderful place! The cats look so happy and content in such beautiful surroundings. How can one go to the sanctuary and not bring one home? You are so strong! ;)
Tux didn’t have a squeaky voice. His meow was loud and long.
I love goats! I had a pet goat when I was about four years old.
Siglinda Scarpa is a fascinating woman! Love her pottery and her story is fascinating. I did check her apartment and villa. Both sound wonderful and the price is quite affordable. I wouldn't mind spending a month on either one!
Love the photo of the kittens on the day bed. I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of the sanctuary.
Posted by María I. | June 1, 2009 4:17 PM
Posted on June 1, 2009 16:17
Very cool, Annie. These cats all look so well-cared for, and sleek and happy!
I didn't know that Maria squeaked -- Mrs. Cat (my brother's Tuxedo cat) has a very hoarse squeak and it has troubled me a lot. Because she was feral, I've always feared that she was badly choked at some point and that permanently damaged her voice. But perhaps not!
Posted by sandrac | June 1, 2009 9:38 PM
Posted on June 1, 2009 21:38
Those beautiful kitty faces
melt my heart. What a wonderful place.
Posted by Barb Cabot | June 1, 2009 10:49 PM
Posted on June 1, 2009 22:49
The cats look adorable!
And what a great way to raise money for these beauties.
Posted by candi | June 1, 2009 10:58 PM
Posted on June 1, 2009 22:58
Hi Annie, this is such a wonderful post. I love all of your photos. All the cats look so cute and they all look so healthy. That is pretty neat how they even have a house where they can sleep at night and also have all that beautiful space to roam free and enjoy the outdoors.
Btw, that tuxedo cat does look like your Maria! Very cute!
Siglinda Scarpa is a very special person to be able to run this great sanctuary and save so many cats. And how neat that it is also for goats too. I can't wait to see more of your photos.
And I agree with Maria, her pottery is beautiful. I'll have to check out her Italy rentals more closely.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience visiting this wonderful place Annie. I can't wait for your next installment. Have a great evening!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | June 1, 2009 11:30 PM
Posted on June 1, 2009 23:30
Annie, I wouldn't be able to go there without bring home a couple of kitties - maybe a goat too!
Looking forward to seeing the goats.
Posted by nancyhol | June 2, 2009 12:25 AM
Posted on June 2, 2009 00:25
Wonderful post. I love the photo of the multi-colored-marked cat (3rd one down).
What a fantastic place this was that you visited. Looking forward to goat posts.
Posted by Eden | June 2, 2009 10:08 AM
Posted on June 2, 2009 10:08
Thanks everyone.
Sandra, I think that cats have unique voices just like people. Maria and LuLu sound very different when they talk and also when they purr. So maybe that's just Mrs. Cat's normal voice? I hope so, hate to think that she went thru any trauma.
Posted by Annie | June 2, 2009 3:28 PM
Posted on June 2, 2009 15:28
So cute! What great photos, must have been a wonderful day! Did it ever seem weird to be surrounded by that many cats? Like a different world inhabited by all cats!
Posted by Chiocciola | June 3, 2009 1:57 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 13:57
C, it wasn't really weird but it WAS a new experience for me. Cat heaven for a cat lover!
Posted by Annie | June 3, 2009 2:42 PM
Posted on June 3, 2009 14:42
Yeah, it sounds pretty cool!
Posted by Chiocciola | June 5, 2009 8:28 PM
Posted on June 5, 2009 20:28
i saw her on a gardeners diary. her place was wonderful. it seems i remember her studio burned and had to be rebuilt. i need to make a road trip to her place. thanks for sharing your pictures.
Posted by justjody | June 6, 2009 8:36 PM
Posted on June 6, 2009 20:36
Beautiful cats. What an amazing lady to run this place. Talented too! I enjoyed looking at her website. The tux cat looks just like Maria! My tux cat also had a low voice.
Posted by girasoli | June 7, 2009 10:24 PM
Posted on June 7, 2009 22:24
Jody, thanks. It's definitely worth a road trip!
Girasoli, I don't know where Maria got her chirpy little voice!
Posted by Annie | June 8, 2009 8:32 AM
Posted on June 8, 2009 08:32